Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Criminology Department

Course: FITT 8 Fundamentals of Marksmanship

Instructor: Marco Victor P. Mendoza

MODULE 4
BASIC MARKSMANSHIP AND COMBAT
SHOOTING

i. OVERVIEW

Basic Marksmanship is a foundational course designed to introduce participants to

the fundamental principles of shooting and firearm handling. This course is ideal for
beginners or individuals looking to enhance their shooting skills in a safe and structured
environment.

ii. OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. Demonstrate safe firearm handling and shooting fundamentals for
marksmanship and combat scenarios.
2. Improve accuracy and precision through practical exercises and drills.
3. Apply tactical shooting techniques to enhance combat shooting skills.

iii. DISCUSSION

I. INTRODUCTION TO FIREARMS

What is the essence of marksmanship?

Marksmanship - refers to a person's ability to both accurately and consistently hit

their intended target while using a firearm. A person with good marksmanship hits their
target from a certain distance by using as few rounds as possible. For example, a
person standing 100 feet from their target who uses two dozen rounds of ammunition
would not be considered a good marksman, while a sniper who hits their target from
one mile away with one bullet would be named a good marksman.

What are the building blocks of good marksmanship?

The four fundamentals of marksmanship are the basis of being able to use a
firearm both accurately and consistently.

a. Steady position - maintaining a stable stance, position, and grip to improve

accuracy and comfort when firing.
 b. Aiming - properly aligning the sights of a firearm and focusing the eye on the
target to improve accuracy.
c. Breath control - inhaling and exhaling in an involuntary cycle to increase
stability.

d. Trigger squeeze - applying the correct amount of pressure to ensure stability

and accuracy.

II. FUNDAMENTALS OF MARKSMANSHIP

Marksmanship - is a precise skill that requires focus, practice, and routine steps for
safe and accurate shots. Learning to handle a firearm properly and refining your craft
will help you become a safer, more precise gun handler.

7 Steps of Marksmanship
• Stance
• Grip
• Sight Alignment
• Sight Picture
• Breath Control
• Trigger Control
• Follow Through

1. STANCE

a. Isosceles (Universal Fighting Stance)

Proper Body Position:

1. Feet, knees, hips, shoulders square to the threat or direction of
travel 2. Knees slightly bent
3. Bend slightly forward at the waist (aggressive posture / control
recoil) 4. Shoulders rolled forward
5. Arms straight with elbows and wrists locked
6. Head erect (bring the weapon to the eyes, not your head and eyes to the
weapon). 7. Body weight resting on balls of feet, not the toes or heels

b. Weaver

Proper Body Position:

1. Stand in the interview position
2. The feet are approximately shoulder width apart, with strong side foot slightly
back 3. Bend slightly forward at the waist (aggressive posture / control recoil) 4. The
strong arm is slightly bent
5. The support arm is sharply bent with elbow pointing straight down 6. Using
approximately 40 pounds of pressure, push forward with the strong arm, and pull
back with the support arm. This equal and opposite pressure creates the "isometric
lock" on the pistol which aids in controlling recoil
7. Head erect (bring the weapon to the eyes, not your head and eyes to the

weapon). c. Modified Weaver

Proper Body Position:
1. Stand in the interview position
2. Knees slightly bent with feet approximately shoulder width apart 3.
Bend slightly forward at the waist (aggressive posture / control recoil)
4. Strong arm is extended straight out, and the elbow is locked
5. Support arm pulls back on the gun hand with approximately 40 pounds of
pressure. This locks the gun arm into the shoulder like a rifle stock
6. Head erect (bring the weapon to the eyes, not your head and eyes to the

weapon). 2. GRIP

a. Firing Grip
Use a firm grip with the hand as high on the back strap of the pistol as
possible. The pistol and arm should be positioned so that a straight line runs from the
muzzle of the pistol back up the arm. The fingers make a natural grip around the front
strap with the trigger finger indexed (clearly outside of the trigger guard, fully extended
straight along the frame). This grip should be tight, but not so tight that it causes
fatigue or shaking.

The trigger finger should be inserted into the trigger guard in a natural,
unstrained position so that pulling it to the rear exerts a force straight back - not
pushing to the left or pulling to the right. This is true for both double action and single
action shooting although the exact position of the finger on the trigger will not be
exactly the same for both modes of shooting.

b. Supporting Hand Position

The support hand fingers wrap around the strong hand, with index finger placed
tightly beneath the trigger guard. The supporting hand should be grasping as firmly as
the firing hand.

c. Thumb Positions
The thumbs will lay against the support side of the frame, side by side, pointing
at the target. Mechanical safeties and de-cocking levers can cause the shooter to
change the firing grip. Some shooters find that with the thumb curved downwards
provides a more secure hold. The pad of the offhand thumb placed on the thumbnail of
the strong hand. However, this placement may vary with the individual physique and/or
type of auto-pistol being fired.

3. SIGHT ALIGNMENT

The relationship of the front sight to the rear sight. Perfect sight alignment
places the tops of both the front and rear sights level across the top and places the
front sight exactly in the center of the rear sight as viewed from the rear.

4. SIGHT PICTURE

The relationship of the target, the sighting system, and the eye. Ideally, there
will be perfect alignment and the top of the front sight will appear to be exactly at the
intended point of impact.

Focus on the Front sight and concentrate on a smooth even trigger pull. The rear
sight and target will be slightly out of focus, with the front sight clearly in focus.
5. BREATH CONTROL

If you know that you are going to shoot immediately, such as on the range
during
training, prepare by deeply inhaling and exhaling several times. Then, take a
deep breath (inhale) and slowly let about 1/4 to 1/3 of it out (exhale).

6. TRIGGER CONTROL

The trigger squeeze must be gentle, deliberate and controlled.

1. The trigger finger should be positioned so that you are able to pull the
trigger straight back to the rear without disrupting alignment.
a. This action takes practice. The muscles in our hands are sympathetic. When
you “squeeze” the trigger finger, the rest of the fingers on the hand want to
sympathetically “squeeze” at the same time.

b. With practice and concentration you can disarticulate the trigger finger
from the rest of the gripping hand.
2. The trigger finger should not contact the frame of the gun at any time. 3. The
trigger finger should be comfortably extended so that the point of contact with the
trigger is the middle of the pad of the first fingertip.
a. Ideally, the pad of the finger should be 90-degrees to the trigger, which
enables you to pull the trigger straight to the rear.
4. The trigger must be released with the same speed and rhythm as it is pulled. a.
Keep finger in contact with the trigger as it returns. Allowing the trigger finger to
return forward without contact with the trigger, further than necessary, often
results in “slapping” or “jerking” the trigger during subsequent shots.
5. Alignment of the sights and squeezing the trigger must be done at the same time.
a. Normally, triggers have a slight amount of free movement until the trigger
stops against the hammer/sear engagement point. Pulling through that free
movement and holding against the weight of the hammer/sear engagement is
called “prepping” the trigger. While aligning sights on the target begin this free
movement holding against the hammer/sear engagement. When proper sight
picture is achieved, complete the trigger squeeze.
6. The term “squeeze” implies that increasing the level of pressure against the
trigger is done as a smooth acceleration

Ball & Dummy Practice - Conducted by Firearms Instructors (Range ONLY).

The ammunition used is a random selection of live or dummy ammunition. This
training allows the shooter to witness the disturbance in sight alignment if
proper trigger discipline in not used as they fire a dummy round.

Dry Firing Practice - Conducted by Firearms Instructors. This training allows

the shooter to employ all the factors of controlling the firing of an accurate shot
without using any live ammunition at all. Focus on the front sight, it should not
move when the main spring of the firing mechanism completes the firing cycle.

7. FOLLOW THROUGH
“Follow through” is the attempt by the shooter to keep everything exactly as it was
set up until the round is on its way to the target. “Follow through” is simply allowing
one action to be completed before beginning the next action. It is important that the
student learns to “follow through” from the beginning. It must be done deliberately, at
first, until it has become “Mentally Imprinted”. When the shot is fired, continue
pressing the trigger all the way to the rear and keep your eye on the front sight as it
recoils up
and comes back down onto the target. Then, re-acquire the proper sight picture and
then (and only then) allow the trigger to return forward only far enough for the
trigger to re-set to a position where any movement to the rear will fire the pistol.

III. MALFUNCTIONS

Stoppage - An unintended halt in the operation cycle of the auto pistol which can be
corrected by the use of immediate action techniques.

Jam - An unintended halt in the operation cycle of the auto pistol which requires the
application of remedial action. Includes damage to the auto pistol itself

Types of Malfunctions

a. Failure to Feed - The process of moving the cartridge from the magazine to the
chamber is interrupted.
b. Failure to Fire - Pressure on the trigger does not cause the auto pistol to fire. c.
Failure to Extract - The cartridge case in the chamber is not pulled completely out of
the chamber by the extractor.
d. Failure to Eject - The cartridge case is pulled completely out of the chamber by
the extractor, but it is not thrown completely clear of the auto pistol.

Malfunctions - Types of Causes

a. Operator Error - The operator does something they shouldn’t, doesn’t do

something they should, or does something wrong.
b. Improper Ammo - A cartridge with one or more components or dimensions
incompatible with proper functioning.
c. Improper Maintenance - Any improper maintenance procedure or material which
causes or encourages an interruption in the operation cycle. INCLUDES
NEGLECT.
d. Bad Magazine - Any improper dimension or material within the magazine which
causes an interruption in the operation cycle. Dents, cracks, deformed feed lips,
improper manufacture, etc.
e. Auto Pistol Related - Any condition in the auto pistol itself which interrupts the
operation cycle. Usually requires the services of an armorer to correct.

IV. CORRECTIVE ACTION

Corrective action - is an action taken to correct any unintended interruption of the

operative cycle of the auto pistol.

There are two levels of corrective action

 a. Immediate Action - Immediate Action: The unhesitating application of a
probable remedy without investigating the cause. Immediate Action has two
phases.

Note: You always try phase one first, and if it doesn’t solve the problem, you begin
phase two.

Immediate Action Phase one

First, with any type of firearm, if you are pressing the trigger and the firearm will
not fire, fully release the trigger and then press it again. If this does not result in a shot,
then proceed with phase one.

a. TAP - the base of the magazine in the pistol with the heel of the supporting
hand.

b. RACK - the slide all the way to the rear and then let it go forward freely.

c. ASSESS YOUR TARGET - Re-establish a proper firing grip, focus on the

front sight, and concentrate on pressing the trigger straight back. Fire only if
the threat still exists.

Reminders: Phase one will almost always correct the more common stoppages of the
auto pistol. Properly performed, phase one procedures can be executed quickly.

Immediate Action Phase Two

Phase two procedures take considerably longer, even with extensive

practice. a. Rip - The magazine from the weapon

b. Retain - The magazine on your person, still contains valuable ammunition.

c. Rack - The slide briskly at least 3-5 times, keeping muzzle pointed in a safe
direction.

d. Load – Use a fresh magazine, if possible. The malfunction may be caused by a

bad magazine. The second magazine will also have more ammo. Assess for
threats, engage if needed – remembering to FOCUS on the FRONT SIGHT –
CONCENTRATE on a smooth, even pull of the trigger finger.

Reminders: Phase two procedures must be performed in the proper order. Practice
the entire sequence
until mental imprinting has been established.

b. Remedial Action

The continuing effort, after immediate action procedures have failed, to return
the auto pistol to operation. Remedial action may also be indicated when stoppages
(although individually corrected by immediate action procedures) have been
repetitive.
There are two phases to remedial action: Determine the cause and apply a remedy.

Remedial Action Determining the Cause

Which phase of the operation cycle has been interrupted? In what manner? The
shooter may need the services of a trained armorer or qualified instructor. In most
cases an armorer will have to determine the cause and apply a remedy.
3. SHOOTING DRILLS:
a. One hole Drill
b. Walk back drill
c. Cadence Drill
d. Reload Drill
e. Fast Test
f. Blaze X Drill

4. COMBAT SHOOTING TECHNIQUES:

a. Shooting on the move
b. Shooting from cover and concealment
c. Engaging multiple targets

iv. Resources:

Text book

Guinayen, D. F. (2022). Essentials of Marksmanship and Combat Shooting, 1st edition

On-line Resources:

1. https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-four-fundamentals-of
marksmanship.html#:~:text=Marksmanship%20refers%20to%20a%20person's,as%20fe
w %20rounds%20as%20possible.

2. https://www.therange702.com/blog/7-fundamentals-marksmanship/

3. https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/PAPP-FA3_Fundamentals-of
Marksmanship.pdf

Video Resources

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-ErOjcjcdc
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql-BEIMmQk8
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSAb62BgPlw